Graduate Studies


Graduate Council Minutes - March 30, 2015

3:00 – 5:00 p.m., Horrabin Hall, Room 60/Quad Cities Complex 2108

Members Present: J. Averbeck, P.K. Babu, V. Diehl, J. McQuillan (Vice Chair), K. Pawelko (Chair), S. Sanders, M. Stinnett, T. Walker

Guests Present: C. Lydeard, L. Wolff, J. Fernandez, S. Cordery, D. Adkins, S. Thompson, S. Moore, T. Cody, T. Kaul, J. Johnson, D. Ekanayake, B. Walia, G. Delany-Barmann, C. Morrow, R. Morgan, A. Mossman, M. Mossman, G. Schmidt, A. White, T. Honesty, T. Killian

Ex-Officio Absent: N. Parsons

Others Present: A. Schulz

I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Academic Integrity Incident Reports Filed in the School of Graduate Studies, February 2015 (0)

Ms. Schulz reported that no reports were filed in the Graduate Office during the month of February.

B. Requests to serve as a reader on exit option committee, February 2015 (1)

Ms. Schulz noted that this request was from the Department of Mathematics and was approved.

C. Graduate Council Election Status

Ms. Schulz reported that the deadline for petitions for the open seats in the College of Business and Technology and the College of Fine Arts and Communication was March 25, 2015. Each college received one petition that has been approved by the respective college dean so no ballot was necessary. The new members will be notified and invited to the Graduate Council meeting on April 20.

D. Graduate Student Research and Professional Development Award Recipients

Ms. Schulz announced that the sub-committee had met and were able to fund 12 out of the 31 applications that were received for the Spring 2015 semester. A full list of the recipients can be found at wiu.edu/grad.

E. Graduate Committee Chairs Meeting

Ms. Schulz announced that the second spring meeting of the Graduate Committee Chairs will be held on April 8 from 3-4:30 p.m. in Horrabin Hall 1 with a connection to Quad Cities Complex 1418. Topics to be discussed include the international admissions process and a presentation on social media. The meeting notice will be sent out this week.

F. Graduate Research Conference

Ms. Schulz reported that the 2nd Annual Graduate Research Conference was a success with over 70 graduate students participating and over 200 attendees. Next year’s conference will take place on March 4, 2016. Judges and moderators are already being sought for the conference and email notification will go out to the students before the end of this semester so they can start thinking about participating. Ms. Schulz encouraged Council members and guests to start sharing this information with their departments.

II. GRADUATE CURRICULUM

A. Computer Sciences         

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. CS 530, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, 3 s.h.

Dr. McQuillan presented the course proposal and stated that no current course like this exists. Dr. Babu asked if this would be a required course. Dr. McQuillan stated that no, it will be an elective. Dr. Diehl asked for letters of support from other departments.

Motion: To approve the request pending receipt of letters of support. (Diehl/Stinnett)

MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 0 NO – 1 AB

B. Counselor Education

Ms. Schulz announced that these items had been withdrawn from the agenda.

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. CN 598, Internship II, 3 s.h.

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

C. Economics and Decision Sciences

1. Request to Change Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program Requirements

a. Business Analytics PBC

Dr. Walia presented the resubmission of the request. Dr. Ekanayake stated the Department of Mathematics support for the change. The math courses have been removed from the deep freeze and all requested changes by the Council have been made.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Walker)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

D. Educational Studies

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. EDL 551, Principal as Instructional Leader II, 1 s.h.

Dr. Wolff presented the revised proposal with the requested changes from the Council at the previous meeting.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Averbeck)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

a. Principal Preparation

Dr. Wolff explained that the change reflects the new course that was just approved by the Council.

Motion: To approve the request. (Averbeck/Diehl)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

Dr. Wolff noted that this request removes LEJA 503 as a substitution for EIS 500. Students have not utilized this option and EIS 500 is a more appropriate research requirement.

Motion: To approve the request. (Averbeck/Walker)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

c. Educational and Interdisciplinary Studies

Ms. Schulz reported that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.

E. Health Sciences and Social Work

1. a. Request for a 400-G Level Course                                  

a. EM 460G, Weapons of Mass Destruction in Public Health, 3 s.h.

Dr. Moore presented the course and stated that the department started offering emergency management courses in 2011. Dr. Averbeck asked about the work of the graduate students in the course. Dr. Johnson answered that the graduate students will be doing above and beyond for all assignments. Dr. Pawelko questioned if the syllabus would delineate between undergrad and grad. Dr. Johnson responded that yes, there will be a separate set of expectations for each. Dr. Diehl asked if there was any overlap with other courses. Dr. Johnson answered that there are no other courses like this on campus. Dr. Averbeck asked how many graduate students were expected to be in the course. Dr. Johnson anticipates it to be a popular class that will fill. Dr. Moore added that the course will not be limited to Health Science majors.

Motion: To approve the request. (Walker/Babu)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

F. Geography

1. Request for a New Graduate (500 or 600-Level) Course

a. GEOG 605, Research Methods II, 3 s.h.

Dr. Thompson was present to answer questions. The department decided to streamline their research methods courses after assessment determined that the course should really be split into two. They will now offer Research Methods I and II courses. Dr. Stinnett asked if students will now learn both quantitative and qualitative. Dr. Thompson answered that yes that will now be offered. Dr. Averbeck questioned if the courses would split the content. Dr. Thompson responded that it will be a continuation from the first semester to the next. Dr. Babu asked if this was only for the thesis exit option. Dr. Thompson stated that it will be applicable to everyone.

Motion: To approve the request. (Stinnett/Diehl)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

b. GEOG 609, GIS Research and Application Methods, 3 s.h.

Dr. Thompson stated that the department has a series of GIS graduate courses and this course will branch out and show how it is applicable to other disciplines. Dr. Averbeck asked if the course will be geared toward Geography students. Dr. Thompson responded that it is for Geography and others. The students must take Geography 508 and 509 first though. Dr. Pawelko noted that RPTA would fit in with the examples given on the request as well.

Motion: To approve the request pending submission of expanded justification. (Walker/Stinnett)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

2. Request to Change Graduate Program Requirements

Dr. Thompson presented the request. The department is trying to streamline the degree so that students complete on time. The department wants to remove the two paper option because it is not used. Dr. Thompson added that the main difference in the requirements is the exit option of internship and coursework. This option will hopefully allow more students to complete their degree in a timely manner with relevant experience. Dr. Stinnett asked about the total program hours and how the students would take the appropriate courses. Dr. Thompson responded that the advisor would guide them towards the electives that meet their needs. Dr. Pawelko questioned the amount of internship hours required. Dr. Thompson answered that it is between 300-400 hours.

Motion: To approve the request. (Averbeck/Diehl)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

3. Request to Change Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program Requirements

a. Environmental GIS

Drs. Thompson and Lydeard presented the request. The change in requirements will address some of the issues that have been raised by students such as courses not being offered and traveling to the Quad Cities. Some students would like to only do either spatial or ecological and these new requirements will allow for that by offering two separate options for the certificate.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Babu)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

4. Request for Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program

a. B.S./M.A. in Geography; or B.S. in Meteorology/M.A. in Geography

Dr. Thompson stated that they currently have some students entering into the master’s program with graduate courses already taken and therefore have to petition for changes. Implementing the integrated program will help with recruiting our own undergraduate students into the graduate program. Dr. Babu asked why it was a Bachelor of Science into a Master of Arts. Dr. Thompson responded that the current master’s program is a Master of Arts so it will need to remain that way.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Averbeck)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

G. Liberal Arts and Sciences

1. Request for Integrated Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Program

a. B.A. in Foreign Language & Cultures/Master of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Drs. A. Mossman and Schmidt presented the request. The Foreign Languages and Literatures Department does not currently have a graduate program. This would provide an opportunity for those undergraduate students that want to take graduate courses. Dr. Schmidt added that he has had several students ask why there are not more graduate level courses. Dr. A. Mossman noted that there are several 400-G level courses that can be used towards the MLAS.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Averbeck)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

III. GRADUATE FACULTY – FULL MEMBERSHIP

A. Chunying Zhao, Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences

Dr. McQuillan spoke on behalf of Dr. Zhao and the School of Computer Sciences stating that the application is fully supported.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/Averbeck)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

B. Rene Noppe, Assistant Professor, Educational Studies

Dr. Delany-Barmann represented Dr. Noppe and provided additional information on research activities. Dr. Babu noted that the brief explanation of research and scholarly activities currently in progress was missing from the application. Dr. Delany-Barmann also pointed out that one publication listed as submitted has been published since the application was submitted.

Motion: To approve the request pending receipt of explanation of research and scholarly activities currently in progress. (Diehl/Averbeck)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

C. Jose Fernandez, Assistant Professor, English and Journalism

Drs. Fernandez, M. Mossman, and Morrow were in attendance. Dr. Averbeck asked about the publications listed. Dr. M. Mossman responded that co-authorship is the accepted standard in their discipline. Dr. Averbeck noted that the research should show the ability to be independently conducted. Dr. M. Mossman stated that this type of research was accepted in their discipline. Discussion was held regarding how “independently conducted” is defined across disciplines. Dr. Sanders questioned the presentations listed. Dr. M. Mossman provided clarification on the levels of research and presentations as they are viewed within the discipline. Both applicants on the agenda will address a dire need for the department in terms of advising graduate students. Dr. Walker asked about the manuscripts under review that are listed. Dr. Fernandez stated that he has one that is being resubmitted with minor revisions and is waiting to hear back on the others. Dr. Averbeck noted that he would like to see this request come back to Council.

Motion: To approve the request. (Diehl/McQuillan)

MOTION CARRIED 6 YES – 1 NO – 1 AB

D. Alisha White, Assistant Professor, English and Journalism

Drs. White, M. Mossman, and Morrow were in attendance. Dr. M. Mossman stated that the same standards explained previously apply to this application.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/Walker)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

E. Ute Chamberlin, Associate Professor, History

Dr. Cordery represented the applicant. Dr. Babu questioned the listing of “in preparation” on some of the entries. Dr. Cordery stated that it is the norm for their discipline to list everything they are working on no matter the stage it is in. Dr. Pawelko asked about the submissions listed as “under contract.” Dr. Cordery responded that they are in the process of being published. Dr. Averbeck questioned if these were solo authorship or collaborations. Dr. Cordery answered that they are all solo authorship.

Motion: To approve the request. (McQuillan/Walker)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

F. Douglas LaFountain, Assistant Professor, Mathematics

Dr. Ekanayake was in attendance to answer any questions from the Council.

Motion: To approve the request. (Babu/McQuillan)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

G. Tamara Honesty, Assistant Professor, Theatre

Ms. Honesty and Ms. Killian were present. Dr. Pawelko asked about the standards for publications and presentations within this discipline. Ms. Honesty provided background information on her discipline and her work. An M.F.A. is a terminal degree for design in theatre. Dr. Babu asked if there were any publications. Ms. Honesty provided information regarding the equivalent in theatre. She also gave information on consulting work that she had done for a manuscript and book proposal. Dr. Pawelko questioned if conference presentations were refereed. Ms. Honesty responded that yes, but not in the typical academia method. Dr. Diehl asked for evidence that she could lead graduate presentations. Ms. Honesty stated that she has been project manager on global conventions which translates into leading graduate students in the entertainment field. Dr. Walker asked for elaboration on the need within the department. Ms. Honesty responded that all graduate faculty in scenic design retired and there is currently no one for the students. Dr. Stinnett stated that the support letter provided the Council with a better view of qualifications. Ms. Killian provided additional support stating Ms. Honesty’s expertise and dedication. Dr. Pawelko asked about comparisons and her quality of work. Ms. Killian added that she had two displays selected for USITT which is a national conference. Dr. Averbeck noted that it would be helpful to add the department criteria for tenure in the letter of support.

Motion: To approve the request. (Walker/McQuillan)

MOTION CARRIED 8 YES – 0 NO – 0 AB

IV. OLD BUSINESS

A. Full Graduate Faculty Status Requirements

Council discussed the results of the recent ballot regarding the language change to the full graduate faculty criteria. Council members stated that they heard concerns over contractual obligations as well as the need for evidence to lead exit option committees. Discussion was held whether to continue as a subcommittee and to seek non-Council members serve on it.

Motion: To maintain the subcommittee and reconvene in the fall. (Averbeck/Babu)

MOTION CARRIED 7 YES – 1 NO – 0 AB

V. OTHER BUSINESS

None reported.

Meeting adjourned: 4:48 p.m.